The interior of the house plays no less role than the appearance. For decoration, it is important to use quality materials that harmoniously fit into the environment. A rather interesting option will be a decorative brick for interior decoration. Now wallpaper is an outdated material to create an attractive wall surface, so buyers are looking for more modern solutions that will allow them to make a facing layer with their own hands.
Types of materials
Brick for interior decoration can be purchased at the store, or you can make it yourself. The process is quite simple, but it will require free time, all the necessary tools and molds for manufacturing. This classification by the method of manufacture:
- factory;
- manual.
Also, decorative brick for interior decoration is divided on the basis of which binder was used to create it with your own hands or at the factory:
- based on portland cement;
- gypsum brick.
There is also another type - clinker. Such material can only be manufactured at the factory, since its hardening requires high temperatures (1200 degrees Celsius). This type of material is made on the basis of clay and has an attractive appearance. Clinker brick for decoration is quite widespread due to its excellent performance characteristics.
Material is available, many companies produce clinker. It is important to choose quality products. When buying, it is worth considering the following recommendations:
- simultaneous purchase of cladding and mortar, on which it is fixed (in accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations);
- decorative brick for interior decoration on one room should be from the same batch, so you should not buy the material in parts (compliance with the requirement ensures uniform color of the walls);
- Before buying it is important to accurately measure the surface area in need of cladding, it is better to provide a small margin in case of unforeseen circumstances;
- It is important to check immediately in the store that there are no deviations in texture and color in the packaging of the material (therefore, it is important to buy material from one batch).
When implementing the recommendations, you can easily buy high-quality material, which is enough for the entire required area.
Cement Binder Brick
Everything is decided with the purchase process, so here it is worth considering a DIY manufacturing method and installation. Brick for interior decoration can be made according to the following instructions:
- Making molds. The basis is cardboard boxes. To strengthen the walls, they are wrapped with wire mesh to prevent sprawling. The shape of the box should be close to the brick. Do not take containers that are too deep.
- Preparation of the solution. The facing material is made from a mixture in the following proportions: 1 part cement to 3 parts sand. Fine aggregate should be selected as fine aggregate. Large can give an unattractive appearance. Astringent - white Portland cement. Styrofoam (in balls) acts as a filler that will reduce the mass. First, a solution of sand and cement is prepared (the consistency of sour cream), after which polystyrene balls are poured.
- Giving color. The next step is the staining of the obtained material after drying. A composition consisting of Portland cement (snow-white), water and white quartz sand in equal quantities is applied to the surface of the finished product. While drying takes place, you can prepare a solution that will be used to paint the brick for interior decoration. Acrylic dye is diluted with water so that a slightly tinted liquid is obtained. Apply the composition to the surface in 3-4 layers.
- Drying the paint, applying sealant to the surface with a spray or brush. The sealant must be cement based.
After manufacturing, do-it-yourself go to installation:
- lathing and waterproofing when mounted on wooden walls;
- the choice of location for each element, if necessary, fitting products;
- fixing decorative elements with a glue solution with the provision of gaps with a width of 8-10 mm;
- grouting with plaster.
Advice! Facing begins with corner sections, door and window openings. Further installation is carried out in vertical rows.
Gypsum brick
The process of preparing this material is simpler and takes less time. The work includes the following steps:
- purchase of matrices for gypsum bricks (made of polyurethane foam or silicone);
- if it was not possible to find the matrix, then a plastic box of a suitable size is used as the shape, if it has a sufficiently large height, then the maximum level of the mixture pouring for manufacture is marked on the wall;
- To make gypsum brick, you need to decompose the forms (matrices) on a flat surface;
- then you need to prepare a solution for pouring (there are no certain proportions of water and gypsum, two components are mixed to the consistency of sour cream);
- the mixture is poured into molds;
- with a spatula, it is required to align the seamy surface of the products so that there are no further problems with their fixing to the surface;
- further, the actions depend on which front surface you need to get, smooth or rough, for the first you will need to lightly tap the walls and the bottom of the mold with your finger to expel air bubbles from the solution to make a rough gypsum brick, leave everything as it is;
- solidification time is 15-30 minutes and depends on the thickness of the product;
- it is necessary to give the material time to set strength, during this period normal temperature and humidity conditions are required;
- painting is carried out with gouache or acrylic paint, which are applied in several layers;
- To consolidate the result, use varnish.
The walls are lined with material according to the following technology:
- cleaning the surface of walls from dirt, dust, grease;
- processing the wall with gypsum plaster or primer to improve the adhesion of the wall material and decoration;
- preparation of glue solution, PVA or mounting glue is suitable for working with gypsum;
- lay out products on a flat surface, choose the most aesthetic location on the wall;
- the adhesive is applied to the primed wall surface using a notched trowel;
- the cladding element is applied to the adhesive and pressed (the force should not be strong, the solution on which the stone is attached is not squeezed out, this ensures the most reliable fit of the finish to the walls);
- the first row is laid along broken lines;
- further stacking of products is carried out with dressing in a checkerboard pattern.
The use of decorative stone will allow you to decorate the walls without serious financial costs and show imagination in the manufacture of materials for decoration.